3 Ways to Get Around Busan: From City Tour Bus to Private Yacht

(Updated: April 28, 2017) – Travelers today are looking for other cities to explore around in Asia outside the mainstream route. In South Korea, one of these is Busan, the country’s second largest metropolis. The city is as friendly to travelers as Seoul, with a range of options to get around depending on your budget. Here are some of them:

Busan City Tour Bus

The Busan City Tour bus is perhaps the best mode to go to the city’s tourist attractions, sites such as Haeundae, Gwangalli, Taejongdae, Oryukdo, Songdo, Centum City, and Yonggungsa Temple.

Bus Fares (2016):
KRW 15,000 for adult (PHP650) / KRW 8,000 for youth and children (PHP345) / KRW 12,000 (PHP520) for groups (more than 10 adults) / KRW 6,000 (PHP260) for group of more than 10 youth and children

Mandi Bus:
Mandi Bus departs from Busan Station at 30-minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Tue – Sun) and travels to Sanbokdoro area – Busan’s hillside villages in the old downtown area including Gamcheon Culture Village, Bosu Book Street, Dakbatgol Happy Village in Ami-dong, Ebagu Archive Center, Yoo Chihwan Postbox and more.

Passengers are allowed to transfer between the BUTI bus and the Jumbo bus for a transfer fee of KRW 5,000 for adults and KRW 3,000 for children. A combination ticket for the Jumbo bus, Mandi bus and Eco bus costs KRW 20,000. The ticket is an all-day pass.

Alternatively, you can book a discounted Busan city tour bus ticket (around PHP600) via Trazy here.

Trains

When you’ve been to South Korea more than once, you’ll find your Cash Bee prepaid card very useful upon arrival in Busan especially in trains. (Cash Bee is South Korea’s equivalent of Hong Kong’s Octopus and Japan’s Suica cards.)

Under the Busan Metro System, Busan has four lines within the city and an LRT that connects Busan with its neighboring city Gimhae. You can download the map here.

Meanwhile, you can use this website to see travel time between stations and plan ahead your itinerary.

Private Vehicle Services

Busan Tour Taxi is a new service introduced this year (2016) available on a reservation basis. Ideal for tourists who want a more personalized experience, the Busan Tour Taxi signed up about 100 taxi drivers who have been trained to provide quality service and guided tours, taking you to attractions and even places to eat.

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